The West Deserves the Best - Community Symposium

Entry is free but RSVP is essential. 
RSVP here: https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/the_west_deserves_the_best

Our work on Better Buses over the years has very clearly shown that transport justice is deeply intertwined with access to services, cost of living, safety, health, education, accessibility, gender justice, racial justice, climate and many other community priorities. We are bringing together a range of diverse organisations and passionate individuals to work together and tell this story, and demonstrate how better access to public transport improves outcomes across the board and elevates the wellbeing of communities.

Our aims for the day:

• Build solidarity amongst individuals and groups whose work often happens in siloes
• Develop shared asks ahead of the 2026 Victorian state election
• Share stories through video storytelling on social media
• Compile information from the day into a report to be shared with decision makers

Accessibility info:

• Accessible car spaces are available (please let us know if this is something you will require)
• Wheelchair friendly (no stairs)
• There are 2 accessible toilets (one in the foyer, one in community room 1)
• The space has adequate ventillation with windows and air conditioning
• There will be a quite space/ sensory room available for use on the day
• There is no hearing loop. The panel discussion space will have multiple speakers, captions on any video materials, and saved seating in the front rows for people with disabilities/access requirements
• Please let us know if you require an AUSLAN interpreter

Language:

Our promo materials will be translated in Punjabi and Hindi, and we will have one Punjabi + Hindi speaker present on the day to facilitate discussions in these languages. We are working towards securing interpreters in more community languages, as well as Auslan (if need identified). Please feel free to inform us if you have any local recommendations, or any questions/concerns.

Getting there:

From Werribee Train station: 

• Take the 170 bus from the Manly St interchange to Kookaburra Ave/ Derrimut Rd (4 min/ 5 stops). From there is it 650m walk/ roll to the centre. This bus runs every 20 minutes and is a wheelchair accessible service. There is a footpath from the bus interchange to the centre

OR

• Take the 161 bus from the Manly St interchange to Nightingale Dr/ Kookaburra Ave (18 min/ 23 stops). This bus stops directly out the front of the centre. This bus runs every 40 minutes and is a wheelchair accessible service.

From Tarneit Train station:

• Take the 180 bus towards Werribee station to Cassowary Ave/ Tarneit Rd (16 min/ 20 stops), then cross the road and walk 2 minutes to Bower Dr/ Cassowary ave and change to the 161 bus towards Hoppers Crossing Station, to Nightingale Dr/Kookaburra Ave (6 min/ 7 stops). This bus stops directly out the front of the centre.

OR

• Take the 170 bus towards Hoppers Crossing station to Kookaburra Ave/Derrimut Rd (15 min/ 14 stops). From there is it 650m walk/ roll to the centre. This bus runs every 20 minutes and is a wheelchair accessible service. There is a footpath from the bus interchange to the centre

Tea, Coffee and lunch will be provided, please let us know any dietary requirements ahead of time 
RSVP here: https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/the_west_deserves_the_best

PLEASE NOTE: Event time subject to change

This event will take place on the lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. We pay respects to their elders past, and present, and to all true custodians across the Kulin nation. We pay deep respect and gratitude to the care for land, sea and sky Country that First peoples have done since time immemorial. We acknowledge the enduring song lines that interweave through the transport networks built across so-called Melbourne, and pay respects to those who have travelled along them over time. Sovereignty never ceded. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.